Born in 1925, Ly Xiong Pao was one of many Central Intelligence Agency-trained Hmong who fought
against communist forces and rescued downed American pilots. Ly, who grew up in
a small city in Laos and attended school through third grade, speaks Hmong,
Laotian, and French. He was a government administrator and soldier in Laos
before his CIA training. Early on, in 1960, Ly and a group of soldiers fought
a battle in Xieng Kouang Province.

Ly:
My group consists of civilians and soldiers - 195 people. We
only have 27 weapons. We went there during the nighttime, and we got there at 4
o'clock in the morning. We were trying to take over the airport, and trying to
take over the munitions there, and trying to take over the work place and
factory.

During that time the Laotian soldiers were the security there. But then
the leader, military leader, was not there. When we took over, we told the
soldier there "we are here to give you freedom and give you economic wealth, not
to kill you."

A few months later, American airplanes dropped the first of many weapon
shipments for the Royal Lao Army and Hmong soldiers. The war ended in 1975. As
communist forces took control, Ly helped others find their way out of Laos. Four
years later, Ly left Laos forever and fled to a refugee camp. He stayed there two
years and then moved to Europe and later, South America.

Ly:
The reason I went to France and French Guiana and my kids to the
United States was that, by law, polygamy is practiced and I have three wives, and I have 32 children - 11 sons and 21 daughters. When I registered to come to the
United States, they wouldn't accept me because I practice polygamy.

And then we lived in Cacao, in French Guyana. And then French law
said one person can only marry to one person. And then I divorced two of my wives
and then keep one. I decided to divorce the ones that have older
children that can take care of them. And keep the one who has younger children
who needs my support.

Ly Xiong Pao has lived in Saint Paul now for 10 years. Photographs and posters
of Hmong leaders adorn the walls inside his home. Ly, now an old man, is a Hmong
clan leader and shaman. A traditional shaman's shrine stands against one wall.
Draped across the ceiling is a xa neng, two wooden dowels with four pieces
of wire tied from end to end.

Ly:
These xa neng - or wire - are more like a connection to the spirit
to the heaven. And when the shaman call for help from heaven, it will send
through these wire. These neng are more like the military force
or the military soldiers that fought with the evil spirit. It was sent by the
Heaven God to push the evils away.

As a shaman, Ly performs centuries-old rituals for those who still follow Hmong
spiritual practices. And as a clan leader Ly advises clan members and mediates
disputes between them. Ly also serves as President of the Hmong Cultural Center.
He sees his work there as a way to teach the old ways to Hmong youth.